Ephesians 1:14
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who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
earnest--the first instalment paid as a pledge that the rest will follow (Rom 8:23; Co2 1:22). until--rather, "Unto the redemption," &c.; joined thus, "ye were sealed (Eph 1:13) unto," that is, for the purpose of and against, the accomplishment of "the redemption," namely, not the redemption in its first stage, made by the blood of Christ, which secures our title, but, in its final completion, when the actual possession shall be ours, the full "redemption of the body" (Rom 8:23), as well as of the soul, from every infirmity (Eph 4:30). The deliverance of the creature (the body, and the whole visible creation) from the bondage of corruption, and from the usurping prince of this world, into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom 8:21-23; Pe2 3:13). of the purchased possession--God's people purchased ("acquired," Greek) as His peculiar (Greek) possession by the blood of Christ (Act 20:28). We value highly that which we pay a high price for; so God, His Church (Eph 5:25-26; Pe1 1:18; Pe1 2:9; "my special treasure," Mal 3:17, Margin).
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. The introduction to the whole epistle, which is much the same as in others (Eph 1:1, Eph 1:2). II. The apostle's thanksgivings and praises to God for his inestimable blessings bestowed on the believing Ephesians (Eph 1:3-14). III. His earnest prayers to God in their behalf (Eph 1:15-23). This great apostle was wont to abound in prayers and in thanksgivings to almighty God, which he generally so disposes and orders that at the same time they carry with them and convey the great and important doctrines of the Christian religion, and the most weighty instructions to all those who seriously peruse them.
Open source ↗1:14 The Spirit is both God’s guarantee of future blessings and a foretaste of eternal life and power. The believer’s eternal inheritance includes everything he promised (see also 1:18; Rom 8:17; 2 Cor 1:22; 5:5; Gal 3:29; 4:7; Col 1:12; 3:24; Titus 3:7).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.
Remember Your congregation, which You purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe of Your inheritance— Mount Zion where You dwell.
He brought them to His holy land, to the mountain His right hand had acquired.